1946 piper j-3 cub c-90

air-cool-me · 03-01-2008, 03:52 PM

In all my limited flying experience I have never had more fun in an airplane.

Something about pulling all the power out, kicking some rudder in and slipping a cub right over the trees....(comes down like a helicopter)

Even more so if its into a one-way grass strip!

This tailwheel stuff is fun..!!

HardDrive · 03-01-2008, 04:16 PM

I grew up in the midwest flying around above the fields of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana with my Grandfather in his J-3 Cub. He bought it at the end of WWII from the army and flew it around for the next 40 years.

He died when I was around 10. But I can still remember asking him, "grandpa, can we go flying?". He would stroke his beard and say, "Well, I guess we can take her for a trip around the ol' pea patch."

I remember him landing in a strong headwind. We would come drifting in over the end of the runway, and I swear we were only going about 30mph ground speed. The plane would just float forever.

I still have the original prop.

Tim Hancock · 03-01-2008, 04:17 PM

Nothing like a Cub on a warm summer evening with the door open flying low and slow.

Joeaksa · 03-02-2008, 05:34 AM

Nick,

Cubs are nice but there are other better options. The problem with the Cub is that its very tight inside and slow, not to mention very expensive.

The reason I fly an Aeronca is that it cruises about 10 mph faster, has more room inside and will do the same thing (more or less) takeoff and landing wise for about 40% less money. Cubs owners are somewhat a cult group and their values went sky high about 20-30 years ago. Nice airplanes but...

What are you doing next weekend? The Cactus fly-in is going on here in Casa Grande and Saturday would be a good time for you to come on down and see some antique airplanes! I will be there on Saturday and possibly on Sunday... come on down!

cashflyer · 03-02-2008, 05:52 AM

Maybe I'm part of the cult, but I just don't agree, Joe.

I really loved the time I spent in Cubs. Sure, I've flown in more powerful machines and machines with more room - and I had fun there also. But there's something about the Cubs that really holds a special place in my heart.

Of course, a bizjet full of hotties would hold a special place also.

In other news, I let my CFI cert lapse on 2/29. I have not had a student in several years, and finally decided that a rusty instructor is not a good instructor.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Nothing like a Cub on a warm summer evening with the door open flying low and slow.

Yup...slow.

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

What are you doing next weekend? The Cactus fly-in is going on here in Casa Grande and Saturday would be a good time for you to come on down and see some antique airplanes! I will be there on Saturday and possibly on Sunday... come on down!

At the Casa Grande Municipal Airport? Guessing it starts early. I would like to see that!

Tim Hancock · 03-02-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Nick,

Cubs are nice but there are other better options. The problem with the Cub is that its very tight inside and slow, not to mention very expensive.

The reason I fly an Aeronca is that it cruises about 10 mph faster, has more room inside and will do the same thing (more or less) takeoff and landing wise for about 40% less money. Cubs owners are somewhat a cult group and their values went sky high about 20-30 years ago. Nice airplanes but...

What are you doing next weekend? The Cactus fly-in is going on here in Casa Grande and Saturday would be a good time for you to come on down and see some antique airplanes! I will be there on Saturday and possibly on Sunday... come on down!

You make some valid points Joe, but still..... Taking a CUB around the patch on a summer evening is nearly a religious experience. I have a couple friends with them and they on occasion will stop in and tell me to take my wife for a ride (she loves Cubs as her first husband re-stored an award winning one 15 yrs ago...I still work on that one on occasion). I can't see myself owning one, but I really like taking an occasional spin in one just to experience the simple pleasure of it.

Joeaksa · 03-02-2008, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Maybe I'm part of the cult, but I just don't agree, Joe.

I really loved the time I spent in Cubs. Sure, I've flown in more powerful machines and machines with more room - and I had fun there also. But there's something about the Cubs that really holds a special place in my heart.

Of course, a bizjet full of hotties would hold a special place also.

In other news, I let my CFI cert lapse on 2/29. I have not had a student in several years, and finally decided that a rusty instructor is not a good instructor.

Cash,

I am comparing the Cub to the other airplanes of that era, not a newer Bonanza or Piper or such. Get in one and play for a while then get in an Aeronca or Tayorcraft and there is a big difference.

The Cub is a workhorse but try one of the other WW2 era taildraggers and bet you will be surprised.

Tim Hancock · 03-02-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Cash,

I am comparing the Cub to the other airplanes of that era, not a newer Bonanza or Piper or such. Get in one and play for a while then get in an Aeronca or Tayorcraft and there is a big difference.

The Cub is a workhorse but try one of the other WW2 era taildraggers and bet you will be surprised.

I have been in many others (T-Crafts, Aeroncas, C-140s, Luscombs), but like Cash said, there is something special about a Cub. I would never want one if I could only own one airplane (too slow and kind of crude), but they are simply a classic.

Here is a pic of my wife and her first husband (deceased) in the Cub he restored taken at Sun & Fun. She still talks about that grand cross country adventure flying it from Ohio to Florida that year. EAA took a bunch of photos of it that year and to this day some of the photos still show up on "win a cub" flyers.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Very cool. Hope to get some time in one at some point. To date my most "fun" flying has been in a Super Decathlon.

air-cool-me · 03-03-2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

What are you doing next weekend? The Cactus fly-in is going on here in Casa Grande and Saturday would be a good time for you to come on down and see some antique airplanes! I will be there on Saturday and possibly on Sunday... come on down!

i would love to... but.. I graduated from that little flying school in prescott and now work\live in atlanta.

I could hop a jumpseat over... that could make things a bit tight on a 12 hour call out.

Yea the cub prices are pretty inflated... it is a Dirt simple airplane.

Im actually looking for something to replicate the fun i had in that c-90 cub... a bored uncle offered to pay for 1\2 so im open for anything WW-2 era tailwheel with OK off airport performance.
Had a line on a stinson 108-3 but the availability of Franklin engines scare the crap outa me.

I dont even need that much utility.. just to haul my ass from grass strip to grass strip.

Joeaksa · 03-03-2008, 04:51 AM

Nick,

Would make you a hell of a deal on my Aeronca. I am looking at upgrading to a 4 seater and thinking of putting my 2 seater on the market.

It has a 85 hp Continental that will take an electrical starter (included but not installed yet) and mid time since overhaul. Flies on either aviation or car gas and used 4.5 gallons per hour, so you can fly around for $15 an hour.

Joe

cashflyer · 03-04-2008, 10:44 AM

Joe...
Here's a 4-seat cub for ya:

Note: No, it's not a photoshop job.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

A lot of people forget about the J4 Cub, never seemed to be as popular as the J3 but a side by side and more room and a lot cheaper if you can find one?

Joeaksa · 03-04-2008, 11:34 AM

The Piper that Tim has is a very nice 4 seater. There is also a Piper Cruiser that is a 4 seater with a stick and love that one but they are very rare and expensive.

Tim Hancock · 03-04-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

The Piper that Tim has is a very nice 4 seater. There is also a Piper Cruiser that is a 4 seater with a stick and love that one but they are very rare and expensive.

The short wing Pipers (Pacers, Clippers) are nice for medium length x-country trips, but I still love a cub low and slow with the doors open on a summer evening.

real550A · real550A's Garage

Joe-
+1 on the Champion! I'm former owner of a
7EC on floats. More fun than a human being should
be allowed!

widgeon13 · 03-20-2008, 11:59 AM

Maule is also a good alternative for the individual looking for slow flight, short strips, tailwheel configuration and just overall fun at a reasonable price.

Someone mentioned Sun-N-Fun in an earlier post, it's in a couple of weeks, anyone going to be there? I'll be there but not sure what days right now, it's always fun as the name says!

Tim Hancock · 03-20-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Maule is also a good alternative for the individual looking for slow flight, short strips, tailwheel configuration and just overall fun at a reasonable price.

Someone mentioned Sun-N-Fun in an earlier post, it's in a couple of weeks, anyone going to be there? I'll be there but not sure what days right now, it's always fun as the name says!

It has been nearly ten years since I have flown to Sun&Fun.....about ten or so hours of flying time in the Pacer

I will be at Oshkosh however as always.

Someday if I ever get my OneDesign done I will fly it to Sun&Fun at least once.